11-Year-Old Girl Donates Her Allowance for K-9 Bulletproof Vests

In a tragic turn of events, an Ohio police dog was killed by gunfire in the line of duty this January. Jethro, who was less than a week away from his third birthday, was shot at least three times while defending a grocery store from burglars before he ultimately gave his life. Fortunately, the Canton Ohio Police Department received a heart-warming donation to help ensure this never happens again.

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An 11-year-old girl named Allison wrote to Jethro's handler, Officer Ryan Davis, offering the little money she had to purchase protective gear for the K-9 unit. "I sorry about Jethro," she wrote. "So here is my allowance for the bulletproof vests. God bless you and the dogs."

Canton Officer Eric Stanbro told ABC News, "[Davis] came across this girl's letter and donation, and it really touched him." While the note was missing its original envelope, Officer Davis found Allison's family on Facebook so he could personally thank the little girl for her gesture.

The heartfelt message isn't the only one Davis has received, however. The entire Canton community (and people from across the country) have also reached out in support. Hundreds of well-wishers from as far away as New York paid their respects at the hero's funeral, and a fellow officer wrote a tear-jerking poem on Facebook about K-9 service. Since Jethro's death, the department's mailbox has been flooded with more than 2,000 letters.

Now, the police department is in the process of measuring its seven animal officers for their new protective vests. And there's been even more good news: Officer Davis recently paired up with his new partner, the adorable pooch, Tuko. And while he'll never forget faithful Jethro, it looks like the new duo will make quite the team: